[No matter what Keyleth says in reply, there's a knock at the door of the Voxhaus not five minutes later, and a blue tiefling waiting behind it with her tail practically wagging behind her.]
[Jester feels her cheeks flushing violet, and she flusters a little bit.]
Oh, thank you. [She laughs, a little punch-drunk, and then loops her arm through Keyleth's to begin walking towards the part of the island she knows has what they need.]
There's a tailor shop where they can make you what you need, and I think they sell some dresses and stuff, too. It's run by robots, so it might be sort of...revealing. Or have zippers in weird places.
Well, we can try to ask them for as few zippers as possible, then!
[Jester laughs, clearly unbothered by the prospect. She's sure it won't be a problem, and if it is...well, the zippers can be kept closed if they must!]
Okay, so you have to tell me all about yourself, okay? Where are you from? Do you have any siblings?
Yes, okay!! And you too. Okay. So I'm from Zephrah, which is basically, it's right at the portal between the air elemental plane and the material plane. My people's job is to guard the plane and make sure nothing bad happens. I don't have any siblings! I wish I did, I always wanted a baby sister, but my mom...um.
What about you, do you have any siblings? Or anything?
[She knows that um. It's the same um she'd always said before she knew who her father was. The hesitation before revealing something both intensely personal and likely to garner sympathy, or worse: pity. Jester's smile is all sunshine as she jostles Keyleth's arm a little bit.]
No, no siblings. My dad left when my Mama was pregnant with me, so it was just us for a really long time.
[A pause, as Jester kicks at a big pinecone in the street with the toe of her boot.]
I did eventually find my dad, though! He left to become a crime boss so he could be, like, worthy of my mom or something? And then I guess he got distracted and it was kind of too late, but the joke is on him because I took her to stay with him while we were saving the world and I think they're definitely going to be in love again whenever I get back!
[Keyleth's face lights up when Jester mentions that she found him. She knows that is a major statistical improbability for her, all things considered, but...]
You found him?? Oh my GOSH, Jester!! I mean, the crime boss part is questionable but people do questionable things for love sometimes. That is so amazing, I can't believe you found him! I hope they fall in love. That would be SO romantic!!!
[she pauses to consider how much to tell about her mom]
My mom left when I was five. She went on a, um, a quest. It's called an Aramente and it can be really difficult; it's basically, you have to go and meet up with all of the different leaders of the different tribes of our people and venture through the portals in order to become the headmaster of your tribe. It can be really dangerous and...a lot of times they don't come back. My mom didn't. A lot of people think she's dead. But I don't. I think she's going to come home one day and be really proud of me cause I finished my Aramente, and my dad is going to be SO happy to see her too.
Yeah, we did! Completely by coincidence, by the way, it was super wild. We did some work for him before I ever realized it. It also took him forever to admit to it. Jerk.
[Listen, she likes her dad but he can be such a dick.
Keyleth's explanation of her mom's quest and subsequent disappearance is fascinating, though, and Jester hangs on every word.]
Wow, that's...a lot. I'm sorry she disappeared. But I bet she's totally alive out there somewhere and trying to get back home! It's way more common than you'd think.
Oh, no, he didn't know until I convinced him of it. He is an asshole, but he's not like the worst. And he's trying now, which is all I really care about.
[Jester's immediately terrified that she's said the wrong thing as Keyleth gets quiet, but when she does reply it sets her at ease a little bit. The arm that loops through Keyleth's gives her a quick squeeze.]
Miracles happen all the time. And hope is free, so I always figure it's better to have hope than to assume the worst. But I'm sorry your mom went missing, it must have been really hard and scary for you.
Oh, okay. That makes it a little better. I'm glad he's trying now. I'd be so mad for you if he wasn't, I'd be coming to Wildemount myself to talk some sense into him.
Hope is free. I like that so much. You're a good person, Jester.
When I was younger, it wasn't so bad. But when I started going through my own Aramente, it was really scary. I just didn't--and still don't--want to leave the people close to me. But I'm learning to deal with it.
[Jester's just beaming at Keyleth, excited flutters rising from her stomach as she gets the sense that she's met a kindred spirit. It's not often that it happens; she's used to playing a foil to her friends' personalities for the most part. It has her tail swishing excitedly behind her as they walk, nearing the area of the island that contains the tailor shop.]
Well, "learning to deal with it" is kind of the name of the game in this place, so you're on the right track!
[She points at the small, run-down building up ahead.] That's the place we're going to, by the way. Everything is so crappy on this island, I don't know if you noticed yet.
[that is so often how Keyleth feels too; or she feels like she's too much for them. Jester's energy matches hers in such a way that she knows that won't be a problem.]
Well, good thing I'm really good at that!
Oh, I noticed. It's not so bad. Do you think it's like that on purpose, though? Or like...I mean. The automatons are so advanced, you'd think...I might have to add this to my theory book and ask Essek.
[As they come up to the entrance, Jester drops Keyleth's arm so she can push the door open, leading her into a quaint little tailor's shop staffed by automatons.]
It's so weird. Like everything is staged or something, you know? Hiii! [This to the robot behind the counter.] We need clothes. Cute ones. Not too slutty.
[The robot...doesn't seem to computer, and instead turns to Keyleth.]
Right? I bet it's all fakey-fake-fake, she pronounces.
[Jester's very interested in how the bots are going to interpret Keyleth's request; she watches as two of them come around the counter with tape measures and start taking all the appropriate (and maybe some inappropriate) measurements.]
[Keyleth tries to stand still for the measurements, even the inappropriate ones. when the automatons are done, she leans in close to whisper to Jester, hoping not to be overheard]
Oh, nothing, really. It's the idea that they might put them in places that are... inappropriate.
[a little louder, but still quiet]
before I came here, I wasn't really... the whole sex thing wasn't a big deal to me. and there's only one person I wanted to do it with.
[Oh. Oh! That...is an angle Jester never really considered before. It kind of makes sense, now that she thinks about it.]
This must be really weird for you, then, huh? [She leans against the counter, watching the robots measure Keyleth's bust and shoulders.] I grew up in a really fancy brothel, so it's a little easier for me.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2021-05-31 03:06 am (UTC)no, that won't do!
[No matter what Keyleth says in reply, there's a knock at the door of the Voxhaus not five minutes later, and a blue tiefling waiting behind it with her tail practically wagging behind her.]
no subject
Date: 2021-05-31 03:57 am (UTC)oh! hi, Jester!
no subject
Date: 2021-05-31 02:20 pm (UTC)[Jester waves excitedly, looking extra cute today in a ruffled lavender dress with matching ribbons tied around each horn.]
I just thought, you know, if you aren't super busy, we could go now?
no subject
Date: 2021-06-01 02:57 am (UTC)[Keyleth, meanwhile, wears a mismatched selection of whatever she could find in Vax's closet.]
Oh. Well, that sounds really nice! I'm not busy at all.
no subject
Date: 2021-06-01 03:34 am (UTC)[She reaches out and tugs on Keyleth's baggy shirt, sympathetically.]
Don't worry, Keyleth, we'll find you something SO cute to wear. Are you ready to go now?
no subject
Date: 2021-06-01 04:46 am (UTC)[Keyleth blushes a little. she feels silly going out with Jester dressed like this, but...clearly it doesn't matter to her!]
Yes, yes, I'm ready! Lead the way!
no subject
Date: 2021-06-01 05:04 am (UTC)Oh, thank you. [She laughs, a little punch-drunk, and then loops her arm through Keyleth's to begin walking towards the part of the island she knows has what they need.]
There's a tailor shop where they can make you what you need, and I think they sell some dresses and stuff, too. It's run by robots, so it might be sort of...revealing. Or have zippers in weird places.
no subject
Date: 2021-06-03 04:54 am (UTC)I don't prefer any zippers.
[and then, in spite of herself, she begins to laugh.]
no subject
Date: 2021-06-03 04:57 am (UTC)[Jester laughs, clearly unbothered by the prospect. She's sure it won't be a problem, and if it is...well, the zippers can be kept closed if they must!]
Okay, so you have to tell me all about yourself, okay? Where are you from? Do you have any siblings?
no subject
Date: 2021-06-03 05:04 am (UTC)What about you, do you have any siblings? Or anything?
no subject
Date: 2021-06-03 03:14 pm (UTC)[She knows that um. It's the same um she'd always said before she knew who her father was. The hesitation before revealing something both intensely personal and likely to garner sympathy, or worse: pity. Jester's smile is all sunshine as she jostles Keyleth's arm a little bit.]
No, no siblings. My dad left when my Mama was pregnant with me, so it was just us for a really long time.
[A pause, as Jester kicks at a big pinecone in the street with the toe of her boot.]
I did eventually find my dad, though! He left to become a crime boss so he could be, like, worthy of my mom or something? And then I guess he got distracted and it was kind of too late, but the joke is on him because I took her to stay with him while we were saving the world and I think they're definitely going to be in love again whenever I get back!
no subject
Date: 2021-06-12 02:01 am (UTC)You found him?? Oh my GOSH, Jester!! I mean, the crime boss part is questionable but people do questionable things for love sometimes. That is so amazing, I can't believe you found him! I hope they fall in love. That would be SO romantic!!!
[she pauses to consider how much to tell about her mom]
My mom left when I was five. She went on a, um, a quest. It's called an Aramente and it can be really difficult; it's basically, you have to go and meet up with all of the different leaders of the different tribes of our people and venture through the portals in order to become the headmaster of your tribe. It can be really dangerous and...a lot of times they don't come back. My mom didn't. A lot of people think she's dead. But I don't. I think she's going to come home one day and be really proud of me cause I finished my Aramente, and my dad is going to be SO happy to see her too.
no subject
Date: 2021-06-12 05:30 pm (UTC)[Listen, she likes her dad but he can be such a dick.
Keyleth's explanation of her mom's quest and subsequent disappearance is fascinating, though, and Jester hangs on every word.]
Wow, that's...a lot. I'm sorry she disappeared. But I bet she's totally alive out there somewhere and trying to get back home! It's way more common than you'd think.
no subject
Date: 2021-06-13 07:31 pm (UTC)Did he know?
What an ass! Sorry.
[Keyleth gets really quiet for a moment]
I don't know. They found her leg. And all of her travel partners. But maybe!
no subject
Date: 2021-06-16 05:11 pm (UTC)[Jester's immediately terrified that she's said the wrong thing as Keyleth gets quiet, but when she does reply it sets her at ease a little bit. The arm that loops through Keyleth's gives her a quick squeeze.]
Miracles happen all the time. And hope is free, so I always figure it's better to have hope than to assume the worst. But I'm sorry your mom went missing, it must have been really hard and scary for you.
no subject
Date: 2021-06-17 05:32 pm (UTC)Hope is free. I like that so much. You're a good person, Jester.
When I was younger, it wasn't so bad. But when I started going through my own Aramente, it was really scary. I just didn't--and still don't--want to leave the people close to me. But I'm learning to deal with it.
no subject
Date: 2021-06-18 03:40 am (UTC)Well, "learning to deal with it" is kind of the name of the game in this place, so you're on the right track!
[She points at the small, run-down building up ahead.] That's the place we're going to, by the way. Everything is so crappy on this island, I don't know if you noticed yet.
no subject
Date: 2021-06-21 04:07 am (UTC)Well, good thing I'm really good at that!
Oh, I noticed. It's not so bad. Do you think it's like that on purpose, though? Or like...I mean. The automatons are so advanced, you'd think...I might have to add this to my theory book and ask Essek.
no subject
Date: 2021-06-21 05:14 am (UTC)It's so weird. Like everything is staged or something, you know? Hiii! [This to the robot behind the counter.] We need clothes. Cute ones. Not too slutty.
[The robot...doesn't seem to computer, and instead turns to Keyleth.]
What can we measure for you!
no subject
Date: 2021-06-21 05:21 am (UTC)[she glares at the automaton. she doesn't have to like them.]
Oh hi, yes. Just some simple dresses in reds and greens. Maybe something in white? NO zippers. And not too short. Thank you.
no subject
Date: 2021-06-23 05:38 am (UTC)[Jester's very interested in how the bots are going to interpret Keyleth's request; she watches as two of them come around the counter with tape measures and start taking all the appropriate (and maybe some inappropriate) measurements.]
What do you have against zippers?
no subject
Date: 2021-06-23 05:57 am (UTC)Oh, nothing, really. It's the idea that they might put them in places that are... inappropriate.
[a little louder, but still quiet]
before I came here, I wasn't really... the whole sex thing wasn't a big deal to me. and there's only one person I wanted to do it with.
no subject
Date: 2021-06-23 09:19 pm (UTC)This must be really weird for you, then, huh? [She leans against the counter, watching the robots measure Keyleth's bust and shoulders.] I grew up in a really fancy brothel, so it's a little easier for me.